Rev. Lisa Ward has been our settled minister since August of 2016. Ordained in 1992, Rev. Lisa has served congregations in New York City, Queens, White Plains, NY and Harford County, MD. A graduate from Union Theological Seminary in NYC, she has engaged in social justice initiatives throughout her career… 
This Week in Worship
Facilitated by: Joe Ayoub
Worship Associates: Joe Ayoub, Tom Kemp & Amy Kavadlo
Music: Tim Steele
Audio: Brynne Mershon
This will be a hybrid service. You are welcome to join us in the Meetinghouse (masks required for those over 5 years old and childcare will be available). If you prefer, you are welcome to join us via Zoom.
Please see the zoom link below. Please log in at 10:20, to give some lead time for the service at 10:30. You will be muted, but you can communicate through the chat box. If you do not have zoom on your computer, please download it ahead of time. It is free.
Revised Safety Policies
As we enter the winter months, the Parish Committee has approved some changes to our safety policy, as recommended by the Phased ReOpening task group in collaboration with RE leadership and the Hospitality committee. These changes accommodate some indoor activities during cold winter weather months. We expect these changes to be in effect through March. Updated guidelines are posted at the top of our church website homepage for easy reference. If you have questions about these guidelines contact Tracey Robinson (email is best: tdr02186@gmail.com) or contact Rev Lisa Ward.
Rev. Lisa is on vacation this week and will return to the office Tuesday, January 4th.
Religious Exploration
Due to the surge in COVID, holiday travel and the varying availability of tests, there will be no in person Religious Explorations class on Sunday morning January 2nd. The plan is to resume in person class on 9 January.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our outdoor, family friendly all ages, Christmas Pageant. And thank you to all who attended. Together we made moving and magical evening.
Happy New Year to all!
Molly B. Nolan, Transitional Director of Religious Education
Music Selections
For this Sunday, as we mark the beginning of the new year, Daon Drisdom will be presenting a solo by the prestigious African-American composer Adolphus Hailstork with a text by Rev. Randolph W.B. Becker, “Into a Time”. The words tell us that “into a time of turmoil, we bring our sense of peace”. Claudia Wellington will also be singing “Auld Lang Syne”.
Staff Holiday Break
Rev. Lisa Ward-out of office 12/25 thru 01/03/2022
OFFICE CLOSED MONDAY 12/27 AND 01/03
Molly Nolan, RE Director- out of town December 28 through January 3. Reachable by email at dre@fpmilon.org or cell 860-893-4818.
Table of Contents
News, Announcements and Meetings
1. Social and Environmental Justice News & Events
2.Aging Together Announcement
3.Milton Community Concerts
4.UU Urban Ministry Architecture Serie
News from S & EJ Committee
11th Hour Calling” – Monthly Stand Out for Climate Action
Tuesday, January 11, 6-6:30 p.m. [Rain/Snow: Wed. 1/12]
First Parish Church lawn ~ Gather round the spotlight
Show up and show that we care about the climate emergency, environmental justice, and Milton’s municipal response planning. For safety: flashlights / headlamps / light-colored or reflective clothing. For impact: signage / posters and noise makers (be creative). We welcome all — it’s energizing — bring friends and neighbors!
Mainspring Lunch Bag Program
Next date is Wednesday, January 5th
. The Sign up Genius has the Wednesday dates listed- you can sign up now!
If you require more information or have questions please contact Peter Schneider at peterlschneider@gmail.com
Fair Foods is a non-profit program that rescues fresh produce that would otherwise be wasted and uses it to feed our communities. We volunteer together unloading and sorting food and packing bags once a month.
The next volunteer date is Saturday, January 8th
If you want to volunteer, please sign up on Sign up Genius by Thursday
evening before the event. Start time and locations vary depending on Fair Foods’ needs, but typically start at 8:30 a.m. at their warehouse at 70 Amory Street in Roxbury.
Other volunteer opportunities are also available at Fair Foods on weekdays from early morning until mid-afternoon.
Any questions or for more information contact Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@gmail.com
AGING TOGETHER GROUP HAS OPENINGS
FP’s Aging Together Group, now in its third year, would welcome up to five new members at its February meeting. We meet on Zoom the second Wednesday of the month from 9 to 10:30 a.m. A typical meeting consists of a check in, the discussion of a previously agreed on topic, and a life story from one of our members. We are (loosely) retirement age and up. If you would like to join us, or have questions, please contact Penny or Chris (ppartridge9@icould.com, cspitt@comcast.net). Openings will be filled in the order in which we hear from you.
Milton Community Concerts is now offering the opportunity between now and December 31st to view any of the live stream concerts from this past year for free. Just go to the website to find the link, and to donate to the concert series if you are so moved. You will also find a listing of upcoming concerts for 2021-22.
“Do you love our historic meeting house?? This is a program for you!! For those interested in old Boston churches, architecture, and the Urban Ministry, zoom on in!”
The Treasures of the Meetinghouse series
Episode 3
January 10th 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
In the third installment of the “Treasures of the Meetinghouse” series, William Cheney, Executive Director of the Willard House & Clock Museum, to discuss the many historic clocks on both the exterior and interior of First Roxbury Church.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow First Parish on Facebook and get updates, poems, announcements and more. You’ll be glad you did!
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Other times by appointment
MINISTER OFFICE HOURS
Tuesday – Thursday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Other times by appointment
The Church office is closed on Fridays
Sundays through mid June
- Worship, 9:30 am in the Meetinghouse
- Choir Rehearsal (most Sundays) at 8:45 am
SIGN UP GENIUS (formerly known as the Planner)
The link to SignUp Genius is: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d44aca728a02-sunday1
You can sign up for one our our Sunday volunteer positions.